Hexpol acquires US custom rubber compounder

Long Beach, California – Hexpol AB is paying $49 million (€42 million) to acquire Kirkhill Inc, a custom rubber compounder that operates within the aerospace, automotive, medical and other demanding industry segments.

Hexpol said Kirkhill reported annual sales of about $46 million and has recently expanded into silicone and perfluoroelastomer compounding. The business was purchased from founder and president Edward Reker, his family and co-owners.

"This acquisition is a very good complement to Hexpol Compounding in the US and broadens and strengthens our presence with rubber compounds by highly skilled people and advanced processes," Tracy Garrison, president of Hexpol Compounding NAFTA, said in a statement.

"Kirkhill's recent purchase of the facility located in Long Beach further increases our ability to provide superior products and unparalleled service for our customers."

Kirkhill operates three facilities — in Long Beach and Downey, California, and Athens, Georgia. Hexpol said the Long Beach site, which Kirkhill recently acquired, will be its sole plant going forward. Hexpol will transfer production from the Downey plant to Long Beach and the capacity in Athens will be transferred to other Hexpol sites in the US.

Hexpol said the Downey and Athens sites are not included in the transaction.

"We will see an immediate benefit by access to Hexpol's global material reach, expanded development resources and advanced quality systems," Reker said in a statement. "This will translate into exceptional service and enhanced products to our customers very quickly."